Town's U18s suffered a 4-3 defeat at Reading on Saturday morning, despite taking a 2-0 lead in the first half.

The Blues were without influential midfielders Luke Hyam, who was suspended for amassing 10 yellow cards, and David Cawley who injured his knee in the reserves’ midweek defeat to Watford. Trialist Sean Ellis, who has also had trials with Birmingham City, started in central midfield.

Goals from Tom Eastman and Callum Bennett gave Town a 2-0 lead during the first half, but Reading pulled level before half-time.

Midfielder Billy Clark (pictured) put Town ahead again during the second half, only for the Royals to score two more goals to seal all three points.

Town's U16s also came away from Reading with a defeat, the youngsters losing 2-1.

U18s: McLoughlin, Bennett, Dunbar, Ellis (Meekings), Eastman, Whight, Griffiths, Clark, Murray, Lavery (Simmons) and Brandon. Unused: Winstone.

Photo: Action Images

peckhamblue added 23:26 - Mar 20 I was at the game today and we didnt deserve to lose the game, although no star performer. Tom Eastman and Billy Clark were again probably the pick of the players. Clark's free-kick showed the player's obvious technical abilty. McLoughlin didn't have the best of games, and was at fault for at least 2 of the Reading goals. All in all not a bad result, considering we were missing a few regulars.

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